Our Guide To Keeping Tanzania Spilonotus Cichlid

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Protomelas spilonotus "Tanzania"
   • Common name: Tanzania Spilonotus
   • Family: Cichlidae
   • Origin: Lake Malawi, Tanzania coastline
   • Adult length: 15 cm
   • Lifespan: 7 to 10 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Moderate
   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive

2. Tank Setup:

   • Provide a tank of at least 250L with open swimming areas and rock structures to create territories.
   • Use a sandy substrate to mimic their natural habitat and prevent mouth injuries during digging behavior.
   • Live plants may be uprooted; instead, opt for hardy décor and artificial plants if needed.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Maintain a pH of 7.8 to 8.6 for optimal health.
   • Water temperature should be between 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F).
   • General hardness (GH) between 10-20 dGH is ideal.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use a powerful filter to handle the bio-load of large cichlids and maintain crystal-clear water.
   • Moderate water movement is preferred to mimic Lake Malawi currents.

5. Diet:

   • Feed high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as the staple diet.
   • Supplement with spirulina, vegetables (like spinach or zucchini), and occasional meaty foods such as krill or mysis shrimp.

6. Tank mates:

   • Best housed with other peaceful to semi-aggressive Malawi cichlids of similar size and temperament.
   • Avoid fin-nipping or overly aggressive species.
   • Maintain one male with multiple females to reduce territorial aggression.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Territorial, especially males during breeding. Males display vibrant blue and yellow coloration.
   • They are active swimmers and enjoy exploring rockwork and open areas.
   • Ensure plenty of visual barriers and space to minimise stress and conflict.